Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-01-15

when he's heard e-ary thing he wants to hear,
and doesn't come back again the next day to
his work, what do they think Of IL in the ser
wants halle Do they say, We've had spy
among usF Yahl you know better than
that by this time. The cheerful old man has
been run over in the street, or is down with
the fever, or has turned up his toes In the
parish dead house-that's what they say in
the servants hail. Try me in your own
kitchen, and sec II your servants take me for
a spy. Come, come, Mr.. Lawyer! out with
your ten pounds, and don't waste any more
precious time about itlp
81 viii consider, and let you know" said
Mr.. Troy.
Old Sharon laughed more ferociously than
ever, aud hobbled round the table in a great
hurry TO the place at which Moody was sit
ting. He laid one hand on the steward,
shoulder, and pointed derisively with the
other to Mr.. Troy.
Il say, Mr. Silent-mani Bet you e5 |
never hear of that lawyer againln
Silently attentive all through the Interview
except when he was answering questions).
Moody only replied In the fewest possible
words. II don't bet, was all he said. He
showed no resentment at Sharons familiar
ity, and he appeared to find no amusement in
Sharon's extraordinary talk The old vaya-
bond seemed actually to produce serious
impression ON him When Mr.. Troy set the
example of rising to go, he still kept his seat
and looked at the lawyer as IL he regretted
leaving the atmosphere of tobacco smoke
reeking In the dirty room
Have you anything to say before we goT
Mr.. Troy asked.
| Moody rose slowly and looked at Old Shar-
on. mot just now, sir,n he replied. looking
| away again, after a moments reflection.
Old Sharon interpreted Moody's look and
Moody's reply from his own peculiar point
Of view. He suddenly drew the steward
away into corner of,the room
II sayl" he began, in whisper 'Upon
your solemn word Of honor, you know~-are
you as rich as the lawyer therer
Certainly not"
Look here! It's half price to poor man.
II you feel like coming back, on your own
account, five pounds will do from, yo,L
Therel there Think of it-think of it"
"Now, Them said Mr.. Troy, waiting fol
his companion, with the door open in his
hand. He looked back at Sharon wher
Moody joined him The old vagabond was
settled again in his armchair, with his, dog
in his lap his pipe in his mouth, and hi,
French novel in his hand, exhibiting exactly
the picture of frowzy comfort which he, had
presented when his visitors first entered tn,
room.
Good day" said Mr.. Troy, with, lisughty
condescension.
Don't interrupt me, )" rejoined Old Sharon
absorbed In his novel. you've had YOU
guinea's worth Lord! what lovely bool
this isl Don't interrupt me-"
"Impudent sconndrelm said Mr.. Troy
when he and Moody were IN the street again
What could my friend mean by recon
mending him. Fancy his expecting me {,
trust him with 210l I consider even tn
guinea completely thrown away"
Begging your pardon sir" saidi Moody
II don't quite agree with you there"
"Whatl you don't mean to tell me you I'm
derstand that oracular sentence Of his---'Sus
pect the very last person ON whom suspicioi
could possibly falIl Rubbishis
II don't say l understand IL, sir ] onf
say IL has set me thinking"
'Thinking-of WHAT Do your suspicious
point to the thieff
IF you will please to excuse me- Mr.. Troy
should like to,wait while before answe
that"
Mr.. Troy stood suddenly still. and eyed hi
companion little distrustfully.
Are you going to turn detective police
man on your own aceountP he asked
There's nothing:I won't turn to, and try
to help Miss Isabel in this matter" Mood
answered. firmly. ~ have saved O few hun
dred pounds.in Lady Lydiard's service, and
am ready to, spend every fArthing Of it il
can only discover the thief"
Mr.. Troy walked on again 'tNfiss Isabt
seems to have.a good friend in, yon," he SAID
He was (perhnps unconsciously, little Of
Tended by the independent tone in which tn
steward spoke, after he had himself engage
to take the vindication OF the girls innocenC
into his own hands
Miss Isabel has, o. devoted servant an
slave in me-" Moody answered, with pa
sionate enthusiasm
Very creditable; haven't word to sa
against it" Mr.. Troy rejoined But don
forget that tho young laiy has other devote
friends beside you. l am her devoted frienC
for instance. I have promised to serve hel
and mean to keep my word. You will 9,
cuse me for adding that my experience an
discretion are quite as likely to be useful I
her as your enthusiasm / know the worl
well enough to be careful in trusting stral
gers 1t will do you no harm. Mr.. MOODY
TO follow my example"
Moody accepted his reproof with becomin
patience and resignation. If you hav
anything to propose, sir, that will be of SCI
vice to Miss Isabel" he said, Il shall be happ
if l can assist you in the humblest capacity.
"And if notr Mr. Troy inquired, console,
Of having nothing to propose as he asked IL
question
I'm that case SIR, / must take my ow
course and blame nobody but myself If
leads me astray."
Mr. Troy said no more; he parted fro
Moody at the next turning.
Pursuing the subject privately in his ow
: mind, he decided Oh taxi lg the earliest o
portunity of visiting Isabel at her aunt
! house. and ON warning her in her future i
tercourse with Moody, not to trust too muc
7 to the Stewards discretion. II haven't
doubt" thought the lawyer, "of what |
means t. do next. The infatuated fool
going back TO Old Sharon"